January roundup – Television

They did it again – split the season down the middle. No word on when 4.5 will come out; later this year, most likely. Probably due to the Writers Guild Strike more than anything else, but it also smacks of maximizing profits. However, they do make up for it with all the extras. First of all, for anyone who doesn’t already have it, the first disc has the rated and unrated versions of “Razor.” On the ten episodes, there are deleted scenes, minisodes, commentaries, podcasts, video blogs, cast interviews (on their favorite episodes), other featurettes. You’ll buy it; you know you will. It’s too damn good to miss or wait for a full boxed set.

Doctor Who: Four to Doomsday

BBC Video, 95 minutes, not rated, $24.98

The Doctor (Peter Davidson) lands on a massive spaceship due to arrive at Earth in four days. But the motives of the commander, Monarch, are suspect. Is he a savior of mankind or its destroyer? Extras: commentary, interviews, music video, photo gallery.

Series of five Masterpiece Theater drams from the works of Henry James: “The American,” “The Portrait of a Lady,” “The Wings of the Dove,” “The Golden Bowl,” and “The Spoils of Poynton.” No extras listed.

Little Britain USA

HBO, 180 minutes, 6 episodes, 2 discs, not rated (mature), $29.98

British sketch comedy series imported to the US has the usual eclectic mix of characters, with British humor injected into American sensibilities. Features guest appearances from Rosie O’Donnell, Paul Rudd and Sting. Extras: commentaries, making-of featurette, character playlist. The original BBC Video DVD set, “Little Britain: Complete Collection” is also available for $99.98 and includes 12 hours of shows plus bonus features.

Lovejoy: The Complete Season Four

BBC Video, 662 minutes, 13 episodes, 4 discs, not rated, $69.98

Fourth season of the crime-solving antiques dealer, with Ian McShane in the title role. Extras: looking back featurette with McShane.

Mr. Mike’s Mondo Video DVD

Shout! Factory, 70 minutes, $19.99

1979 sketch comedy special from writer/performer Michael O’Donoghue was created as a spoof of the 1962 shock-exploitation documentary “Mondo Cane” and intended to air during a “Saturday Night Live” break. NBC censors deemed it too outrageous for broadcast. Stars most of the original SNL cast and plenty of guest stars. Extras: “Mr. Mike’s Least-Loved Bedtime Tales” from SNL, Bill Murray’s on-air eulogy for Michael O’Donoghue, commentary.

Reba: Season Five

Fox, 484 minutes, 22 episodes, 2 discs, $29.98

Fifth season of country star Reba McEntire’s sitcom with her as a single surburban mom trying to raise her family and her career. No extras listed.

Saxondale: Complete Seasons 1 & 2

BBC Video, 370 minutes, 13 episodes, 3 discs, not rated, $39.98

British sitcom featuring the life of ex-roadie turned exterminator Tommy Saxondale (Steve Coogan), who struggles to maintain a bad-boy image while attending group therapy. Last six episodes never aired in the U.S. Extras: behind-the-scenes documentary, interview, deleted scenes, commentary.

Skins: Volume 1

BBC Video, 425 minutes, 9 episodes, 3 discs, not rated, $39.98

British version of teen adolescent drama is supposedly a bit more racy than its American counterparts, such as “Gossip Girl.” Extras: video diaries, ancillary storylines, music video.

The comedian on his latest tour stops in South Africa, London and New York. 3-disc extras: conversations with Chris Rock, digital copy , full length-performances from all three stops on the tour.

Emergency! Season Five

Universal, 1,063 minutes, 24 episodes, 5 discs, $39.98

L.A. paramedics Roy DeSoto (Kevin Tighe) and John Gage (Randolph Mantooth) of Squad 51 in their fifth season of taking accident victims to Rampart General Hospital. This was my favorite show as a kid.

Jonathan Creek: Season Three

BBC Video, 292 minutes, 2 discs, not rated, $34.98

Third season of crime-solving odd couple Jonathan (Alan Davies) and Maddy (Caroline Quentin). They solve their cases using hard evidence in combination with illusion and intellect. No extras listed.

MI-5: Volume 6

BBC Video, 586 minutes, 10 episodes, 5 discs, not rated, $79.98

British spy drama continues the exploits of an elite counter-terrorism unit. Never before aired in the U.S. Extras: commentary, behind-the-scenes featurette, video diary, interviews.

Moonlight: The Complete Series

Warner Bros., 720 minutes, 16 episodes, 4 discs, $38.98

L.A. private investigator Mick St. John (Alex O’Loughlin) has an advantage in his profession; he’s a vampire. Despite high ratings, the series was canceled in the wake of last year’s Writer’s Guild strike. Poor critical reviews might have had something to do with it as well.

The Rockford Files: Season Six

Universal, 592 minutes, 12 episodes, 3 discs, $39.98

Final season of the wisecracking Malibu private detective, played with panache by James Garner.

Popular anime series on the Adult Swim section of the Cartoon Network has an amnesiac high school student selected to fight vampires with a samurai sword. No extras listed.

Blossom: Seasons One and Two

Shout! Factory, 840 minutes, 37 episodes, 6 discs, $49.99

1991 series about a girl with a somewhat dysfunctional family gets its DVD premiere. Blossom (Mayim Bialik) is a typical teen with the usual problems, magnified by the fact that her mom has left the family and her father is trying to keep them together. Her oldest brother is a recovering alcoholic/drug addict and the other is a “dumb jock.” She keeps a video diary, making her the first video blogger. All I remember of this show were the promos, “Tonight on a Very Special Blossom …” which was parodied on plenty of other shows. Extras: original pilot, retrospective documentary, featurette on the friendship between Blossom and Six LeMeure (Jenna von Oy), featurette on the fashion of Blossom, commentaries.

Girls Next Door: Season 4

Fox/Playboy, 300 minutes, 16 episodes, 3 discs, $29.98

Follow the daily lives of Hugh Hefner and his three lovely ladies, Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson as they live, play and work at the famous Playboy Mansion. It seems that Hef is still able to do some canoodling. Viva Viagra, indeed. No extras listed, but who cares?

Higher Ground

Sony, 96 minutes, $19.94

1988 made-for-TV movie features singer John Denver as former FBI agent Jim Clayton, who retires to become an Alaskan bush pilot. When his partner is murdered and branded a bootlegger, Clayton sets out to find his killer and clear his name. No extras listed.

Killing Hitler

BBC Video, 99 minutes, not rated, $14.98

Docudrama about the British plot, Operation Foxley, to kill Hitler at his Berghof estate. Not to be confused with the current film, “Valkyrie,” which was about the German plot to kill Hitler. Extra: “Inside the Mind of Hitler” documentary.

Songs in Ordinary Time

Sony, 89 minutes, $19.94

2000 made-for-TV movie features Sissy Spacek as a divorced mother of three kids, struggling to provide for her family in Vermont. When the enigmatic Omar Duvall (Beau Bridges) arrives in town, he seduces her and her kids with promises of easy money and success. Based on the novel by Mary McGarry Morris. No extras listed.